Breast lesions develop in the tissues found within the breast area and will lead to the formation of lumps. These lesions are caused by damage to the tissues inside the breast and if often can be caused by disease or injury. A woman performing a regular examination will be able to notice these lesions or lumps within the breasts. These lesions can also be detected during an annual doctor visit, or through a mammogram procedure. Sometimes these lesions do not cause any problems for the woman, but each lesion must be thoroughly checked and examined by a physician.

It cannot be stressed enough how important it is for a woman to make an appointment with the doctor when she notices any possible breast lesions. The doctor will be able to request certain tests like an MIR or ultrasound that will be able to further determine if a problem does exists. Once the lesion is confirmed, a biopsy will be done to place it into one of two categories; benign, which means the lesion is not cancerous, or malignant, which means the lesion is cancerous. It is estimated that about one out of every four lesions are found to be malignant. Early detection of any problems will lead to a greater chance of successful treatment.

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If the breast lesions are considered to be benign or non-cancerous, the doctor and the patient will decide if any additional steps need to be taken. Although a benign lesion is not cancerous, depending on the size and shape, it can greatly increase a patient's risk for developing cancer if it is left untreated. Surgery may be a necessary step, especially if the patient has a family history of cancer. If possible, a lumpectomy will be performed, which is a slightly invasive surgery that is done to remove the lesion from the breast. If a lumpectomy cannot be performed, or is unsuccessful, a mastectomy will be the next possible solution. During a mastectomy, the entire breast, including the surrounding tissues, will be removed.

In the case of malignant or cancerous breast lesions, a more aggressive treatment will need to be done. Treatment to kill the cancer cells, like radiation treatment or chemotherapy, will need to be done. In additions to these treatments, a lumpectomy or mastectomy may also need to be done. In recent years, much success has been made in breast cancer treatment. The key to having a higher success rate is the early detection of breast lesions which may be caused by cancerous tumors.

Discuss this Article

amypollickPost 2

@anon252563: If you don't like what the surgeon told you, by all means, seek a second opinion. Make sure the surgeon who sees you has a complete copy of your chart and mammogram and ultrasound results, as well as a complete history of your breast issues. Also, make sure the surgeon who removed your right breast sends a complete copy of your surgery notes and results.

Anytime you don't like the answers you're getting, get a second opinion. It's your right as a patient.

A year ago I had a mammogram and ultrasound done. The radiologist discovered "something" that necessitated a biopsy, which was carried out.

Yesterday I went back for the annual mammogram and ultrasound and was asked by the radiologist, "Why did you not return three months after that biopsy for a check up?" I had not been informed I needed to do so. Be that as it may, she continued to do the mammogram and ultrasound and said "It's still in situ, but not much changed." I was asked to call on my specialist surgeon, who received the results electronically.

He told me, after examining me and seeing the results of the mammogram and ultrasound, that there is a breast lesion there but that I must go back in six months' time for a follow-up ultrasound.

I hasten to add that I recently also experienced a discharge (no blood in the discharge) from the nipple. Another thing I must mention is that two years ago I had my right breast removed because of Paget's Disease. What I would like to ask is :

Should I not insist that this lesion be removed or a mastectomy done? I would love your advice on this, please.

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